Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.113, No.32, 11201-11215, 2009
Generalization of a Classic Theory of the Low Frequency Dielectric Dispersion of Colloidal Suspensions to Electrolyte Solutions with Different Ion Valences
The classic Shilov-Dukhin theory of the low frequency dielectric dispersion of colloidal suspensions in binary electrolyte solutions was developed for symmetric electrolytes: equal counterion and co-ion valences. A rigorous generalization of this theory to asymmetric electrolytes, such that the valence of counterions is double or half the valence of co-ions, is presented. This generalization is possible because analytical solutions of the intervening integrals exist for these two particular cases but do not exist in the general case of different counterion and co-ion valences, a result apparently overlooked or ignored in the past.